Reflections..

I took a long hard look in the mirror the other day - and I didn't see what looked back at me.

Blame it on age, or work stress, or my general non-caring ways ~ I look - tired.

My skin has lost its natural glow, its now shallow and pale under the foundation as cover.

My eyes have bags that can be seen from a mile away.

My hair now longer has a shiny lustre, it now has a permanent fly-away effect. Using of product and conditioner does more damage than good, I don't even know why I bother.

My nails are shapeless, even though I don't bite my nails. No point getting it done for a mani/pedi - it just last for 1 hr anyways.

My legs that were once my pride and joy are now scarred and bruised, and lets not even get me talking about my rotund middle now shall we?

Many a times I've contemplated doing something about it.. head to the gym perhaps? Or book myself into a nice facial. Get my hair washed and blown every week like I used to back in KL ... but do I? No.

What is wrong with me?

MTV's The City

I am in love love LOVE with the City.. and especially with Erin Kaplan who is the Director of PR for Elle magazine ~ and all of this at 26 yrs!

I am in awe.. she might be portrayed as a complete b**ch on the show but you can see that she is the only one has any sense of professionalism and work ethics. Yes, I KNOW its a TV show but hell, its a dog eat dog world innit?

Who cares about Olivia Palermo - its all about Erin!

Resolute Resolutions

I have been really busy over the past few weeks. Am slowly getting into the groove of work, although Australia Day break next Tue might break my routine somewhat.

Routine - that is the key I reckon to getting things done. Don't get me wrong, I have always been a strong advocate for spontaneity but when you lack motivation, some resemblance of routine does help.

As part of my - well, not NY resolution but more towards a "better" me, I am setting up a routine.

Wont get into too much detail now but lets say that its for a healthy me.

*Bag bAg BAGS!*

1 of the advantages of working (and earning) in Australia now is that the $AUD (from which I shall abb to $A is definitely the stronger currency against some of the major currencies around the world.

Seeing that the $A1 =/RM3 and $A1 =/ $USD0.87, shopping is a dream and I don't I feel as guilty when it comes to going for a big ticket item, that is - until I do the conversion into RM and go "OMG - I just spent an equivalent of a fresh accounting graduates monthly wage on a bag!" *Sigh*

Well, seeing that one of my new yr resolutions was to buy quality, and not quantity - I have opted to start off with some very nice totes for work and play.

Introducing - my 2 buys in a week (yes.. you heard me right ... got both these beauties in a week! I have no shame!.. my credit card is crying in pain!!)

Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Stamped Croc Dunaway Bag

~ Got this off from Shopbop as I wanted a nice black utilitarian bag that can take me from work to play. I still haven't got it yet tho, but Shopbop being Shopbop has sent across the UPS tracking number so I am keeping an eye out for it as we speak..heheheh.

I got this on New Yrs Day (my resolution remember).....

2nd January is the start of the shopping sale in Japan.BF and I, biting the bullet decided to brave the crowds and see what the craze was all about in Shinjuku and I must have been bitten by the Tokyo bag bug*

Going to Isetan Shinjuku - this is what I saw, and it was love in 1st sight.

Mulberry Daria hobo in burnt orange

For the summer, something bright and definitely roomy. :)

I will be on instant noodles for the rest of the yr then..lol

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*Tokyo bag bug - I have never seen soooo many designer bags in 1 place. If I thought that HK was designer heaven, Tokyo is designer manic! Women AND men all touting a designer bag - Gucci, Long Champ, Hermes, Mui Mui, Balacieaga, Coach and how can we forget LV.

New Year Resolutions 2010

Well, hello from Tokyo, Japan...yes, my 1st blog for the yr is from the Land of the Rising Sun.. how ironic! My first 2 days for the yr has me burning the midnight oil albeit for very obvious different reasons. I wonder if this is the sign of what's to come?

Can you believe that it is the start of a decade? Where did 2009 fly off to?

Well, like all ppl - I have my string of resolutions to make (and break). Always interesting to put pen to paper (or on the blog for all to see) - for comparison purposes naturally.

I resolve to...

• Go back to gym ~ I am not at all impressed with what I see staring back at me in the mirror and my stamina is absolutely ridiculous as my recent performance on the slopes have shown me.

• Keep more active in a consistent manner ~ swimming, pole dancing classes if the classes are available on weekends, cycling, Wii Fit ~ basically not sitting on my arse 24-7.

• Buying quality, not quantity~ I have this very bad habit with purchasing items that are cheap-er. Quality leather items such are handbags and wallets from designer's are better able naturally stand the test of time compared to chain store leather goods such as Zara or MNG.

~BF has started me off with a gorgeous Cole Haan to replace my 5 yr old worn to the bone leather Next UK wallet. Don't get me wrong, the Next UK wallet has served me well, but I did get it as a quick alternative to replace my Versace wallet that was stolen in Rome and 5 yrs is a good period of time to keep a chain-store purchase.

• Look after my things - fullstop.~ This is something I am really shocking at. My trusty Speedy would be crying if it could talk. I have spilt things in it, left rotten fruit (by mistake) in it, I shove things into my bag without concern or care.. and that is just my bag. I don't have to even explain how my poor wallet looks like! Receipts and coupons everywhere - its filled to the brim with junk! My poor car is also not spared. As I live in my car, travelling between appointments - its been spilt with food and drinks and I don't even take time to give it its TLC aka vacuum... this needs to all change.

• Spend a bit more time cultivating my friendships ~ FB has made me lazy. *sigh*. Time to keep in touch with friends and not just use the "poke" function as a I think of you still shortcut.

• Travel less ~ Save more money. Travel is my major indulgence and has serious repercussions on my bank balance. 2009 saw me goto Japan twice for snowboarding trips (Japan is already rather pricey and snowboarding is not a cheap hobby), Malaysia twice (even though it was warranted, getting married and all) and Cambodia. I don't think this can be culled all that much seeing that I have already bought tix for Malaysia and Bali (same trip, different getaway) but lets see.

I'll add to this as the yr goes on but in the meantime - I'm keeping the list manageable I think...we'll see..

White Xmas ...

Am on a jet plane in a few hrs... a fortnight of bumps, bruises and hopefully no broken bones *fingers crossed!*

Mel > Sydney> Narita> Tokyo (by train) > Nagano (by bullet train)> Shiga Kogen (by bus) -

And on Xmas Day, I will be on the ski slopes *wheeeeee*

All work makes Jill a dull girl..

I have all these things that is playing in my mind and I do want to put it down on paper ..or on the blog but I am in want of time. It is now 10:32pm and I am still working. Yes, I might not be at the client site but I am still replying to my many numerous email correspondences that all seem to need attention like ASAP. I have been away from home for the past few weeks barr the weekends and boy aren't I glad that this is the last working week before the office shut down for the yr.

We are at the last yr to this decade *gasp!*

I am also very much looking fwd to our trip to Japan next week.. its a pure snowboarding trip, we are not spending any time in Tokyo at all, just a quick arrival into Narita, catch the train to Tokyo station and then catch the bullet train to Nagano. Then catch the bus to Shiga Kogen for 10 glorious days *whoo hoo*. Which reminds me, I need to get travel insurance.

I have my yr end performance review this Thursday. Will be interesting to see how they rate me this time around. I did very well last quarter but whose to say how they rate each person? We'll soon find out wont we?

Lots of gettogethers and parties this weekend - this Thursday is the office Kris Kringle and Xmas party, Friday is the company Xmas party and then on Sunday a mate is having a spit-roast party which he has already said will turn into a sleep-over *yay*

Ok, break finished. Back to work emails - 3 days more to go... *ohm*